Electric flat-iron.



E. A. CARSON & J. ATHERTON. ELECTRIC FLAT IRON. APPLICATION FILEDAPR.2e. 1916.

25 -Z'awarad 622713027.

five/12 0215.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EDWARD A. CARSON, 0F COMPTON, AND JOSEPH ATHERTON, 0F REDONDO,CALIFORNIA.

ELECTRIC FLAT-IRON.

Application filed April 26, 1916.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that we, EDWARD A. CARSON andJOSEPH ATHER'roN, citizens of the United States, residing at Compton andRedondo, respectively, in the county of Los Angeles and State ofCalifornia, have invented new and useful Improvements in Electric Flat-Irons, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an indicating device, and particularlypertains to an indicator for use upon electrically heated appliances inwhich the heating element is concealed from view.

It is an object of this invention to provide indicating means inconnection with concealed heating elements used within flat irons,percolators, and the like, whereby the presence of an electric currentwithin the heating element will be indicated in a visible manner.

A further object of this invention is to provide a current indicatorwhich may be readily applied in connection with an electric heatingelement and will indicate the presence of the current and approximatelythe heat being developed within the device.

Another object is to provide a device of the character described whichis cheap to manufacture and is not liable to get out of order.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a View in perspective of an electrically heated flat ironequipped with the indicator device. Fig. 2 is a view in vertical sectiontaken through the nose of the fiat iron and shows the relation betweenthe indicating device and the vital parts of the iron. Fig. 3 is a Viewin perspective of the sole plate of the flat iron with the heatingelement mounted thereupon and with parts broken away to show the mannerin which the indicator is mounted; and showing a diagrammatical View ofthe current supply in connection therewith.

Referring to the drawings, 10 indicates a fiat iron of commonconstruction and comprises a handle 11 which is mounted upon a coverportion 12. The cover 12 is secured to a pressure plate 13 within theiron. The pressure plate is in turn secured to a sole plate 14 by meansof screws 15. A heating Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 28, 1916.

Serial No. 93,761.

end of each unit is connected to contact rib-V bone 19 and 20, theopposite ends terminating adjacent the nose of the sole plate asparticularly shown in Fig. 3. The indicator device is applied at thispoint.

The indicator consists of a small helically wound member 21 formed of aresistance wire of the proper resisting capacity to cause flow ofcurrent from the heating unit 17 to 18 to heat it until it reaches acolor that may be visible to the operator. The coil 21 is connected atits ends to the terminating ends of the resistant unit ribbons by meansof conductors 22 and 23. As shown in Fig. 2, the indicator coil projectsthrough an opening 24 in the nose of the pressure plate and is insulatedtherefrom by means of a suitable insulating wall 25 which is here shownas being of mica. In this manner the indicator is effectively insulatedfrom the parts of the iron.

The indicator coil 21 is made visible to the observer through anobservation window 26 which is cut through the nose of the cover plate12. A piece of mica or other transparent material 27 is suitably held inposition over the opening and prevents the escape of heat from the ironand the passage of particles of foreign substance into the heatingelement of the iron.

The operation of this indicator may be easily understood as it requiresthat current from a suitable electrical source of supply 28 be deliveredto the contact ribbons 19 and 20 through conductors 29 and 30, thecurrent traveling through the heating elements and the indicator coilelectrically connected with and interposed between sa'd elements. Theresistance qualities of the indicator coil 21 are such that instantlythe flow of current will heat the coil and make it discernible to theoperator. It may also be added that as the current continues to passthrough the heating element of the iron, the indicator coil 21 willincrease in heat accordingly and the operator by observing the colorproduced by the heat throughout the coil may, in an approximate manner,determine the heated condition of the appliance.

It will thus be seen that We have provided an indicator for use withconcealed electrical heating elements which will simply and eflectivelyindicate the presence of current Within the element and the approximateheat being attained by said current.

While We have shown this device as applied to a flat iron, it is evidentthat those skilled in the art may make changes and modifications thereinto adapt it for use upon other electrically heated appliances, Withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in theappended claims.

We claim:

1. The combination of an electric heating element, a pressure platethereover, the pres sure plate having an opening, a cover inclosing theheating element and the pressure plate, an incandescent electricconductor connected to the heating element and extending through thepressure plate opening, said conductor being located entirely withinsaid cover, and an observation port formed in the cover, whereby saidincandescent conductor may be observed.

2. The combination with an electric heating element, an incandescentconductor electrically connected with the heating element, a coveradapted to inclose said element, said conductor being located entirelywithin said cover, and a transparent observation window in said cover,whereby the incandescent condition of said conductor may be observed.

3. The combination with an electric heating element, an incandescentelectrical conductor electrically connected in series with the heatingelement, apressure plate secured over the heating element, the pressureplate having an opening adapted to allow the incandescent conductor toextend upwardly through the pressure plate, an insulation lining fittedwithin the" opening through said pressure plate, a cover adapted toinclose the heating element and pressure plate, an observation portformed through the cover and a transparent closure fitted over theobservation port whereby the condition of the incandescent conductor maybe observed when a current is passing through the heating element.

. In testimony whereof we have signed our names to this specification.

EDWARD A. CARSON. JOSEPH ATHERTON.

